Branched spike bird deterrent

ABSTRACT

A bird deterrent has a base and at least one branched spike extending from the base. The branching can occur anywhere along the spike, and a single branch point can give rise to multiple branches. Spikes can have multiple branches. The various branches can be of any suitable length(s), and can be oriented in any suitable direction(s).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 11/695,754,filed Apr. 3, 2007, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.10/508,804, filed Sep. 23, 2004, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.7,243,465, which is a U.S. National Stage Entry of PCT/US02/10117, filedApr. 1, 2002. These and all other extrinsic materials discussed hereinare incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where a definition oruse of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contraryto the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of thatterm provided herein applies and the definition of that term in thereference does not apply.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is bird deterrents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Birds like to perch in various places including rooftops, ledges, andother areas on commercial buildings and residences. Unfortunately, whenbirds perch, they tend to be noisy and make an unsightly mess.

Birds can be deterred from landing through the use of mechanical birddeterrents. Especially useful such devices have a plurality of spikesthat extend in different directions from a base support, as seen inFIG. 1. Numerous variations have been introduced over the years,including variations in the type of material (plastic, wire, etc) usedfor the spikes, the way the spikes are attached to the base, and the waythe spikes are fanned out from the base. These and other variations aredescribed in pending US application entitled “Double Bend And Crush BirdDeterrent Device”, filed on or about Mar. 12, 2002 (Ser. No. 10/097,090,now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,775,950), which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

There is a tradeoff, however, with respect to the spacing of the spikes.If the spikes are too far apart, they allow smaller birds to maneuverbetween the spikes, and land on the surface supposedly being protected.If the spikes are too close together, the device may be too expensive tomanufacture. Thus, there is a need for an improved bird deterrent thatadequately circumvents these problems, while remaining simple and lowcost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention involves bird deterrents having one or morebranched spikes. The concept is quite broad, and there are innumerablevariations on the theme. Among other things, embodiments arecontemplated that have singly and/or multiply branched spikes, spikeshaving vertical, horizontal, or other orientations, and spikescomprising plastic, metal, or any other suitable material(s). Preferredembodiments have desirable manufacturing features such as ribbed spikes,and parallel orientation of the channels that receive the spikes.Preferred embodiments also have desirable usage features such as breakpoints and glue channels in the base.

Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective side views of a bird deterrent accordingto the inventive subject matter.

FIG. 3 is an arrangement of the bird deterrent shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a bird deterrent 10 generally has a base 200 and aplurality of branched spikes 300. Each branched spike 300 has two topends 320, 330, and a bottom end 340. The base 200 has a top 210, twosides 220A, 220B, and a bottom 230.

As used herein, the term “branched spike” refers to a spike with atleast three ends; in the figures two top ends 320, 330 and a bottom end340, and the term “branch” refers to the intersection of at least twoportions of the branched spike. Thus, bending a normal double-endedspike does not transform it into a “branched spike” as the term isemployed herein.

Within this broad definition, there is tremendous room for variation.For example, although a typical branched spike 300 contains a singlebranch point leading to two top ends, contemplated spikes (not shown)could contain branch points that lead to three or even more four topends. It is also contemplated that a single spike can have multiplebranching points, i.e., a branch could itself be further branched, suchas shown in FIG. 3. It is further contemplated that several branches mayoccur on one branched spike 300. For example, one branch may occur atleast 3 cm from the bottom end of the branched spike, measured along thespike, and another branch may occur 8 cm from the bottom end of the samebranched spike.

Each branch point of a spike represents a nexus among a proximal portion360 (referred to herein from time to time as a trunk) that extends to ortowards the base, and at least two distal portions, (referred to hereinfrom time to time as branches), that extend to or towards the ends ofthe spike. Viewed in this manner, a single branch angle (as shown bynumeral 380 in FIG. 1) necessarily exists at each branch point betweenthe two branches of simple cases, and multiple branch angles existbetween the multiple pairs of branches in more complex cases in whichmore than two branches extend from a single branch point. Except in thespecial case of a 90° branch angle there is a definitional choicebetween an acute and an obtuse angle, and to simplify the discussion thebranch angle acute angle is always defined herein to mean the acuteangle.

In theory any branch angle between zero and 90° is possible.Nevertheless, in practice branch angles are typically at least 10degrees, with more preferred angles falling between 10 degrees and 90degrees, inclusive, and still more preferred branch angles fallingbetween 45 degrees and 75 degrees, inclusive. This is because angles ofless than 10° are likely to provide only minimal benefit relative tounbranched spikes, unless one or more of the branches are substantiallybent distal to the branch point. By way of clarification, all rangesdiscussed herein are interpreted as inclusive.

It is also theoretically possible for the branches to have anyorientation with respect to the base. Thus, branches could extendvertically up or down from a trunk, horizontally, or in any otherorientation. At a single branch point, for example, one branch couldextend upwards and another sideways, or one branch could extend sidewaysin one direction and other branch could extend sideways in the opposite,collinear, direction. In general, the trunk and branches should besubstantially coplanar, with the branches preferably orientedvertically. Of course, where the spikes are formed from wire or someother materials, all sorts of different orientations can be implemented.

Suitable branched spikes can be fabricated from any suitable material,including for example, metal, plastic, wood, or any mixture thereof. Tosome extent molded plastic (and most preferably pressure injectedpolycarbonate) is the most preferred material for bird deterrents havingbranches spikes, because the branching introduces added complexity thatwould substantially increase the cost of deterrents using othermaterials. At least portions of both the trunks and branches of moldedspikes can be fluted or ribbed to provide added strength (as shown bybox 370 in FIG. 1). Cylindrical spikes are preferred, and ribbed spikesare considered to have a substantially cylindrical portion as long asthe portion has at least three ribs. The ribs radiate from a core atthat point in a substantially evenly spaced manner, and the ribs eachextend away from the core by substantially the same extent.

The term “branches” is used herein to refer only to those distalportions that are more than de minimus. Thus, for example, thelongitudinal ridges of a ridged spike are not considered to be branchesbecause they are likely to extend only a few millimeters from the coresection of the spike. From a rigid, mathematical perspective, the term“branches” is used herein to refer only to those distal portions thatextend at least 1 cm from the vertex of a branch point. In practice,branches are considered to begin having substantial utility as birddeterrents where they extend at least 5 cm from their respectivevertices. Longer branches are considered to be more advantageous, withpreferred branches extending at 10 cm from their respective vertices.

It should be appreciated that the positioning of a branch point along aspike can significantly affect the usefulness of the branches. While notbeing limited to any particular theory or suggested mode of action, hereor anywhere else in this disclosure, it is contemplated that branchesvery close to the top or bottom ends of a spike are thought to offeronly minimal added deterrence against birds. Preferred branch points ofa spike are therefore advantageously situated at least 5 cm from wherethe spike connects to the base. Those skilled in the art will alsorealize that useful positioning of a branch point should also bedetermined in conjunction with the branch angle and the lengths of thecorresponding branches, with the goal of effectively deterring birdsfrom perching on or near the base.

It should also be appreciated that the spikes can form numerousdifferent configurations with respect to base. Fanned out configurationsare considered to be especially useful because they tend to provide alarge area of deterrence relative to the amount of spike material beingused. Even more preferred are fan configurations in which the spikes arealternatingly long and short top. By way of example, the deterrent ofFIGS. 1 and 2 include a fan shaped configuration having five branchedspikes 300 of one length, into which are alternatingly disposed 350 nonbranched spikes of another length. Branched spikes can extend from thetop, any of the sides of the base, or from an edge joining the top and aside of the base.

Referring now to the base 200 of the deterrent of FIGS. 1 and 2, thebottom 230 is preferably substantially flat as shown, to facilitateaffixing of the device to a roof or other foundation. The deterrent isintended to be secured using screws or nails inserted through holes (notshown), and alternatively or additionally with glue that can be appliedto glue channel 250. The glue channel 250 may be any size and shape solong as it contains a reservoir for glue, while still allowing the base200 to be mounted substantially flush with the surface to which the birddeterrent is to be attached. It is also contemplated that the base 200may be coupled to a roof or other foundation using loops, holes,fasteners, latches, or any other couplers.

Experience has shown that installation of bird deterrents having moldedplastic bases is facilitated by the inclusion of intentionally weakenedareas, such as break points 260. This allows a user to conveniently snapthe base at a desired point to readily size the base 200 to the needs ofthe specific job. Break points 260 are advantageously disposed atintervals of at least 4 inches, and more preferably intervals of 6inches of more.

The base 200 may comprise plastic, wood, metal, or any combinationthereof, and need not be fabricated from the same materials as thebranched or unbranched spikes. To the extent that the spikes are beingmolded, it is generally cost effective to confluently mold the base.

From a method perspective, a novel bird deterrents can be fabricated byproviding a base and fixing a branched spike to the base. As shown inthe figures, the branched spike can have two branches, and can beutilized in conjunction with non-branched spikes. The step of fixingpreferably comprises injection molding the branched spike and the baseas a single piece, although it is contemplated that the base and spikescould be separately molded, or one of them could be molded and the othercould be fabricated using a method other than molding.

Thus, specific embodiments and applications have been disclosed of birddeterrents having branched spikes. It should be apparent, however, tothose skilled in the art that many more modifications besides thosealready described are possible without departing from the inventiveconcepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to berestricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, ininterpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should beinterpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context.In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should beinterpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in anon-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements,components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with otherelements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.

1. A bird deterrent for attachment to a surface, comprising: anelongated base having a fixed width and an upper surface from whichextend a plurality of spikes; wherein the base comprises a glue channelthat extends longitudinally along a bottom surface of the base betweenthe plurality of spikes; wherein at least some of the plurality ofspikes alternate in an up and down configuration; and wherein the baseand the plurality of spikes comprise a continuous common plasticmaterial.
 2. The deterrent of claim 1, wherein at least some of theplurality of spikes are branched.
 3. The deterrent of claim 2, whereinthe branched spikes have a branch that is orthogonal to a bottom of thebase.
 4. The deterrent of claim 2, wherein at least some of theplurality of spikes are both un-branched and non-orthogonal to a bottomof the base.
 5. The deterrent of claim 1, wherein there are two spikesextending from a given longitudinal position along the base.
 6. Thedeterrent of claim 1, wherein branched ones of the plurality of spikesalternate along a length of the base with non-branched ones of theplurality of spikes that are non-orthogonal with respect to the base. 7.The deterrent of claim 1, wherein the plastic material comprisespolycarbonate.
 8. The deterrent of claim 1, wherein at some positionalong the base one of the plurality of spikes has a different number ofends from another of the plurality of spikes.
 9. The deterrent of claim1, wherein the glue channel terminates at an open longitudinal end ofthe base.
 10. The deterrent of claim 9, wherein the base has a pluralityof break points.
 11. The deterrent of claim 1, wherein the basecomprises a semi-circular vertical cross-section.
 12. The deterrent ofclaim 1, wherein at least some of the spikes extend orthogonally from anupper surface of the base.
 13. The deterrent of claim 1, wherein atleast some of the spikes collectively form a fan-shaped configuration.14. The deterrent of claim 13, wherein the fan-shaped configurationcomprises five spikes extending from the base.
 15. The deterrent ofclaim 1, wherein the up spikes have a first length, and wherein the downspikes have a second length that is different from the first length.